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New Rules Aim to Reduce the Cost, Bureaucracy, and Time to Obtain a Driver’s License, Creating a “New Market” for Instructors in the Country.
The process of obtaining a National Driver’s License (CNH) in Brazil will undergo a profound transformation with the Federal Government’s proposal to simplify and reduce the procedure. The changes include the offering of free courses and the removal of the requirement for practical classes to be taught exclusively by Driver Training Centers (CFCs), popularly known as driving schools. The expectation, detailed by the Minister of Transport, Renan Filho, is that the new rules will come into effect later this year, after collecting suggestions from society through public hearings held until November 2.
The main objective, according to information disclosed by Agência Brasil, is to combat the high cost and bureaucracy that make Brazil the most expensive country in South America to obtain a CNH. Currently, the cost can reach R$ 5,000 in some regions, a prohibitive cost that drives millions of people to operate illegally. A survey by the Ministry of Transport reveals that approximately 20 million Brazilians drive without a license, a problem highlighted by the fact that 54% of CPF holders who acquire motorcycles do not have a CNH.
Why Is the CNH So Expensive and Bureaucratic Today?
Minister Renan Filho, during his participation in the Bom Dia, Ministro program from Brazil Communication Company (EBC), highlighted that the current model is “impeding” and costs more than three minimum wages in some locations. The high price is directly related to the bureaucracy and the mandatory workload for the student, which also prolongs the process by up to nine months.
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For those seeking licensure for both cars and motorcycles simultaneously, the commitment is extremely high: there are 45 mandatory theoretical hours just for the theoretical course, plus 20 hours of practical motorcycle lessons and another 20 hours for cars. In total, the candidate needs to dedicate 85 hours of classes, in addition to the subsequent written exam. By abolishing the requirement and allowing the hiring of self-employed professionals, the government aims to make the process faster and, above all, simpler.
Free Courses and the End of Market Reserve
The government’s proposal goes beyond reducing practical classes. The plan involves enabling free courses for obtaining the CNH, which can be offered online or even in public schools. Additionally, schools – public or private – can become responsible for preparing citizens for the licensing exam, covering contents on legislation, citizenship, defensive driving, and the environment. This measure is only possible, according to the minister, with the end of the obligation for driving schools.
The removal of the requirement for exclusive classes in CFCs will allow for direct negotiation between students and independent instructors. These instructors will need certifications, which can be obtained through courses offered by the Ministry of Transport or by state Detrans. Commenting on the criticisms of lack of dialogue, the minister, according to Agência Brasil, assured that the problem is not communication, but the intention of driving training centers to “maintain a market reserve, which is a kind of monopoly“, which consequently drives up prices.
New Market and Opportunities for Instructors
Minister Renan Filho emphasized that driving schools will continue to exist; what will end is the obligation to hire their practical classes. Citizens will have the option to take classes with an independent instructor, even using their own car (properly identified with stickers or magnets).
The change is viewed by the government as the creation of a “new market“. According to the minister, the decrease in the price of the CNH will lead more people to seek licensure, increasing the demand for instructors and generating more jobs. Currently, the Ministry of Transport estimates there are about 200,000 instructors in Brazil who will be able to teach under the new legislation. This number could grow with the accreditation of new professionals by the ministry and Detrans. The current discussion, according to Agência Brasil, is still assessing whether there will be a minimum number of mandatory practical hours of classes.
The proposals from the Federal Government aim to address the social and economic problem of the high cost of the CNH, promising to facilitate access to the document and even enable free courses for the population. The plan directly impacts the driver training sector, deregulating the requirements and allowing independent instructors to negotiate directly with students.
Do you agree with the end of the requirement for driving schools? Do you believe that the offering of free courses for CNH can, indeed, combat the problem of 20 million unlicensed drivers in the country? Share your opinion and experience in the comments; we want to hear from those who live this in practice and what they think about this significant change mentioned by Agência Brasil.
Sim, concordo! Os valores cairão drasticamente.